Brett Berish: A Self-Made Career Building Spirit Brands

Brett Berish, is the owner of Sovereign Brands and the CEO of Belaire, a collection of French sparkling wines that have become globally recognized as America’s fastest-growing French sparkling wine brand. In a few short years, Belaire Rosé has become the best-selling French Rosé in the U.S.

At Sovereign Brands, Brett Berish has established many notable brands, including Armand de Brignac Champagne, rated the world’s top champagne. In 2014, Berish famously sold the luxury champagne label “Ace of Spades” to Jay-Z. Brett Berish is also CEO of Bumbu Rum (an award-winning rum), McQueen and the Violet Fog, and Villon. He launched the “Self-Made Tastes Better” campaign to celebrate artists who have challenged convention and paved their own path to success.

This Episode’s Heavy-hitter’s:

Brett’s father had been in the alcohol industry for over 45 years, and although he never wanted Brett or his brother to get involved in the industry themselves, his passion for the industry transferred to his kids. After growing up with their father constantly talking shop at the dinner table, Brett and his brother would eventually follow in his footsteps.

Originally, Brett started out in investment banking. He knew deep down he wanted to do something on his own and “touch a brand in some capacity,” but it wasn’t until he was 30 that he decided that he had to pick one thing to dedicate himself to. Once he did that, he finally found the success and fulfillment he’d been looking for.

Brett considers himself an outsider to the alcohol industry. Although his father was certainly a large part of the industry, Brett had no prior experience in the alcohol space before jumping into his own venture.

At one particularly tough point where he was running out of money and the IRS was after him, Brett decided to double down on his dream and find a way to continue working on the business.

One of Sovereign Brands, Belaire Rose, the #1 sparkling champagne brand in the United States, found huge success in retail first rather than through “on-premise” in spots like restaurants and bars. Brett internalizes this as a sign to not do what everyone else says you have to, but instead to try things until they work and then press on the gas once you find it.

Be sure to check out the entire Sovereign Brands products: https://www.sovereignbrands.com/

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